Preventing fuel theft

Welsh brothers Russell and Richard Fowler have invented a device that prevents fuel siphoning, inspired by a trip to a diamond mining region of the Kalahari Desert where diesel theft was common.

The brothers set up Newport-based TruckProtect three and a half years years ago. After working through 80 prototypes, their InstantFit NeckIT is now the UK’s best-selling anti-fuel theft device. They sell 40,000 units a year and TruckProtect made £2m in turnover in 2008.

The device is designed to prevent fuel theft by stopping access to the fuel tank through the filler neck for any other purpose than filling the tank. The device had to be able to accept 120 litres of fuel a minute from high-speed pumps without causing any splashback. The device also had to provide security right to the top of the tank, while still enabling Customs to take samples for analysis.

TruckProtect has developed a range of NeckIt devices to fit every make and model of commercial vehicle – including buses, coaches and municipals – in Asian, European, UK and US markets.